Samar
the third largest of the Philippine Islands; S. E. of the E. part of the Island of Luzon, from which it is separated by the Strait of San Bernardino; and the extreme E. of the Visayan group. On the S. W. it is separated from the island of Leyte by the Strait of San Juanico. The W. coast is bounded by the Western Sea, and the E. coast by the Pacific Ocean. The island is mainly mountainous, although there are many fine valleys under cultivation. Samar extends 130 miles from N. W. to S. E., 50 miles from the E. to W., and has an area with adjacent islands of 5,031 square miles. Pop. about 266,237. Samar and islands adjoining were made a province under civil government in 1902. The products of the island are such as are found in all the archipelago. There are many fine kinds of woods, numerous varieties of wild fruits, various kinds of bamboo, roots suitable for food, rattan, game, and fish. Besides cocoanuts there is a large production of oil, rice and hemp.